Respect Your Elders

In the last chapter, Paul encouraged Timothy, saying, “Let no one despise you for your youth” (4:12). Now the apostle turns to the other side of the coin and addresses the respect that should be shown for those who are older: “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father…older women as mothers” (5:1). How should the elderly be treated in the church? Paul discusses three examples so that Christians may learn how properly to respect this valuable group in the church.